Movie Review – Krrish 3 (Hindi) – A wet firecracker for this Diwali

Krrish 3 marks Krrish’s struggle to save humanity from Kaal.

My Review marks my struggle to save humanity and their kaal (time) from Krrish 3.

They say Krrish 3 is an ambitious effort to give India their own super-hero. Firstly, who asked for a super-hero and secondly, if culling set-pieces from various Hollywood and Kollywood sources can be called ambitious, then this film is also ambitious.

Krrish 3 starts with a montage of Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish in the voice-over of Amitabh Bachchan. This is for those who missed the previous ones. Then it slips into the introduction of Mehras – Rohit, Krishna and Priya, and an Optics class about reflection of light with proper alignment of mirrors to tap life-saving sunlight.

Then the movie shifts gears to Kaal (Vivek Oberoi) and his maanvars – that’s a portmanteau of maanav and jaanwar. One of them steals ice-cream scoops from cones. They are mutants and are results of fusion experiments carried by Kaal’s team, who remarks that ‘fusion is future’. That’s so close to X-Men series.

More on Kaal… He is bound to a wheel chair and uses his power of Telekinesis – Professor Xavier and Magneto rolled into one. You can even bring in the traces of Stephen Hawking (for the two fingers only work thing). He stays in a den on a snow-capped mountain. Does that remind you of Blofeld from the George Lazenby’s only Bond flick – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Kaal’s objective is to wreak havoc on mankind by spreading virus and leading to biological war. And Rohit and Krrish’s is to stop him. Simple! If you want to draw a reference from many films including Mission Impossible 2, you are welcome.

Spiderman pitches in:

When the director wanted to show Kaal’s tainted childhood and how he turns evil.

Superman pitches in:

When Krrish’s towering machismo needs to be surfaced with an intro scene to save a plane from crash landing. This one is from Superman Returns.

When the climax tries to show some imagination, it drifts away with Man of Steel like wreckage and Mumbai skyline biting the dust.

So we have covered X-Men, Spiderman, Superman and a James Bond villain. Now let’s venture down south and probe into some Tamil stories. Rakesh Roshan tries to be Murugadoss and Shankar by borrowing stuff from 7am Arivu (Tamil) / 7^th Sense (Telugu) and Enthiran (Tamil) / Robot (Telugu). Thanks Rakesh sir, we are honored.

High-lights of the film:

You must be kidding me.

Wait, there's one. The scene where Kaal connects with two helicopters flying high in the sky and blasts them. Then I realized that everyone is on CLOUD, so this is possible!

Low-lights of the film:

The story of virus and antidotes has been done to death. The audience needs something new.

This is a super-hero film sans the fun element. 

Hrithik Roshan – a Greek-God-ish super-hero with 8 pack abs– is forcibly thrown into an ill-written, shoddily-executed film. What can he do, for everyone family comes first, right!

The second half of Krrish 3 drags in such a way that even a snail may feel ashamed of it.

When you feel the role of Kanagana Ranaut’s Kaaya is a bundle of surprises and is taking a transformation, the director pops up a song, which is the most irritating part of the film. That’s so routine and so boring.

Why people still accept Priyanka ‘Plastic’ Chopra as an actress.

Rajesh Roshan hits the last nail in his coffin and Salim-Sulaiman desperately try to pull some Zimmer-ish overtures.

Nothing can beat this one. There is Krrish 4 too!

Bottom-line: Have a safe Diwali and only buy crackers that sparkle and spread light & joy. Please avoid this wet firecracker brand called Krrish 3.

P.S. For the first time, I want to praise SRK’s Ra.One. With a decent music and SRK on screen, that was a better Diwali offering than Krrish 3.

My Rating: You must be kidding me, again!

Movie Review - Besharam (Hindi) - Strictly for popcorn addicts!!

Abhinav Singh Kashyap is a bundle of talent. He proved his mettle with Dabangg, and now he’s back with a bang with Besharam. The way he has brought the entire Kapoor family to the table is a testimony for his negotiation skills. And these actors bring the movie back on track, with their finest performances, when it loiters around. Kashyap extends his Dabangg hangover and his Chulbul can be found in most of the characters. This time, more than the writers and directors, it’s the actors who take the entire cake.

Besharam is an attempt to inject creativity into a clichéd story-line. Ranbir Kapoor is a happy-go-lucky guy and his flamboyance adds gloss to the movie’s template. The film is devoid of many WOW cinematic moments, but if movies are your excuse for a jolly outing and enjoy lots of popcorn, then this one is for you. There are too many colorful songs and that’s another reason to cherish.

The film has lot of dough but the screenwriters couldn't mold it into a properly baked bread. Most of it is forcefully loud and the humor is cheeky and deliberately bizarre. The story’s core is appealing but the random and strewed sub-plots play spoilsport. The film moves at a slow pace in the first half and picks some speed post interval when all the sub-plots converge into the main. Here you get to watch the most defining moments and the entire actors brigade fires all the cylinders.

There is a lot of variation between the two principal characters – Bubbly and Tara. Bubbly with his edginess saves the film and Tara (Pallavi Sharda) is shallow and always tries to puncture Bubbly’s pomposity bubble. There are hardly any romantic moments between them and the most endearing one comes in the later half – in the hotel room and the one that follows.

The crackling chemistry between Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Kapoor is laudable. Off-screen couple reprising their roles on-screen is a treat to watch. Any other actors couldn't have played the Chautala cops so effortlessly. Rishi Kapoor gyrates his belly for Battameez Dil number, and brings into him Sunny Deol ki aatma to do a Gaddar like scene. That’s so cool. The song during the end-credits with all the three Kapoors is to die for.

Javed Jaaferi as the antagonist fizzles out in the film. His bravado introduction creates the menace that couldn’t be pulled forward. Barring a comical touch in a FANtastic scene, there’s nothing much he could offer. In that particular scene, Kashyap gets into the shoes of Guy Ritchie. Blame it on the screenplay that couldn't hold Jaaferi well and capitalize on his acting prowess.

Besharam is Gone in 60 Seconds with loads of slapstick and desi tadka. Abhinav Kashyap fills the movie with his leftovers from Dabangg. Ranbir's tapori-ish antics and emotional baggage spearheads the movie. The movie’s piece da resistance is its climax; which is funny, emotional and too slapstick. Despite its short-comings, Besharam emerges as a glossy, masala entertainer with some glorious and some dull moments.

My Rating: Expectation – 7/10; Reality – 5/10

Attarintiki Daredi Telugu Movie Full Dialogues

1) Ekkada neggaalo kaadu… Eppudu taggaalo telisinode goppodu.

2) Ilage chesi chesi IIT ani cheppi evado sadist gaadikichi chestaru, vaadu telivitetalanni eellani torture cheyadaniki vadutadu.

3) Aadu evadara, Lakshmi Devi edhuruvasthanante Road ki left lo raavali, Red light daggara aagali antaadu.

4) Nuvvu gap icchinanduke nenu irritate avutunte... Inkaa daanni explain chesthaaventi raa!

5) Andhuke ra evadidhi aade pattukovali.

6) Adi aadapilla ra abhimanam unthadi… Nenu kodukuni nanna naaku kopamuntaadi.

7) Chudappa Sidappa nenu simham laantodini… Adhi geddam geesukoledhu nenu geesukogalanu anthe theda migatadantha same to same… Ah!

8) Ayinaa last punch manade ayithe aa kicke verappa.

9) Bagundadam ante baaga undatam kaadu… Naluguritho undatam navvuthu undatam.

10) Daanni pattukunte nannu kottinatte... Pettukunte nenu chacchinatte. Idedho baavunde!

11) Naa question lo clarity vundi… Nee answer lo surety vundaa?

12) Gaali vosthundani maname talupu teesthaam nanna... Daanitho paate dhummu kuda vasthundi.

13) Ninnu Harvard pampiddam anukunte… Ilaa Hall lo nilapettesavente nannu.

14) Annaniki aritaaku, sunnaniki tambaku, punyaaniki swami paadham taaku taaku taaku.

15) Mee venaka edho power undhamma… Adhi undaga mimmalni evaru emi cheyaleru.

16) Anandam ekkada dorukutundi? Dabbulona, andamaina ammayi velle play club lona, valla sareeram meeda jaarey sabbu lona?

17) Aa eyebrows chudu, Nike symbol ni reverse lo gisinattuga.

18) Tegipoyetappude daaram balam telustundi... Vellipoyetappude bandam viluva telustundi.

19) Paamu paradhyanamga vundani padaga meeda kaaleyyakudadu ro.

20) Adhrustam talupu tadutunte... Daridram master bedroom lo musugu tanni padukundanta.

21) Intha possessive ayithe iddaru ammayilini ela kannaaru cheppand… Ayinaa vallu chupisthe glamour memu chupisthe vulgar.

22) Simham padukundhi kadha ani cheppi joolu tho jada veyakudadhu ra… Alaage puli palakarinchindhi kadha ani pakkana nilabadi photo teeyinchakudadhu roi.

23) Biryani endhuku tintaam? Balam kosam… Mari kidnap endhuku chesthaam… Paisal kosam.

24) Ee kadha 3 months kritham Milan lo modhalaindhi... Adhedundhi? Italy lo. Adhedundhi? Europe lo. Gadhedundhi? Neeku daani Geography kaavala, naa History kaavalaa??!

25) Aha nuvvu pedda andagathevana nee feeling oho digochindandi queen Victoria… Brahmadevudu ninnu chesthu chesthu ‘lunch break’ lo ardhaantaranga ala vadilesi vellipoyade!

26) Ramudu bridge kattalanukunnadi samudram daggariki vacchinappudu, adavi lo kurchoni plan cheyyaledu.

27) Prameela garu ila randi… Adddde aa vinayam aa videyatha aa vadhika aa kallu choodande, Aa kallalloki ye magaadainya lup ani dooki ala eedukone vachestadu. Aa Prameela garu meeru kallu dinchakandi… Dinchithe maalanti fans hurt ayi potharandi.

28) Laksha kotlante 1 pakkana enni sunnaluntayi?

29) Rey baalu gaa… “Attani venakki theeskuraavadam elaa” aney pusthakam emaina raasaanaa nenu.

30) Neeku bus dorikundadu aadu lift icchuntaadu… Car door open ayyundadu aadu open chesuntaadu… Dust padithe aadu clean chesuntaadu… Deenike Spain lo steel gottam, Sunanda maa chuttam!

31) Swami nadhiki vellaledha? Madhi lo meerundaga nadiki ela pogalanu… Manam gadhi ani raasthe vaadu madhi antaadenti... Improvise chesaademo sir.

32) Babu… Meerenduku kottadam… Vallunnarukada… We are paying them salaries you know.

33) Naaku music antey ishtam... Naaku ladies antey ishtam… Evadishtaalu vaadikuntaay… Dheeniki mallee statement okati.

34) Vealayithe kshaminchu, ledha sikshinchu, kaani memu unnamani maatram gurthuinchu.

35) Bullet arangulame untundi kaani aardadugula manishini champutundi, Adhe bullet-u aaradugulunte ela untundi. Naa manavadu Gowtham Nanda alaa untaadu!

36) Nenu expressioney isthaanu… Panulu meerey cheyyaali.

37) Naa mines-u naa diamonds-u… Naa currency naa arrogance… Naathoney undetatlu choodandi swamee.

38) Manchi vaallani hurt cheste edustaru… Naalanti vedhavalani hurt cheste edipistaru. Daani daggara kerchief leni time chusi edipisthaanu.

39) Tissue vundaa… Mundu ee issue settle cheyyi.

40) Kantiki kanapadani shathruvutho bayataki kanapadani yuddham chesthunnaanu.

41) Orey alternatives lennappudu criticize cheyyakudado roy... Jeethalicche vaadi meeda jokelu esthe emavuthundo telusaa.

42) Nuvvu medicine laanti vaadivi Siddhu kaani daaniki expiry date untundi.

43) Meeru dabbunollu kada… Problem mee intlo vundaali kada. Deeniki mind dobbindi kaani logic kaadu.

44) Ivvanni nenu tinadaanike… Patient em tintaado naakela telusthundamma.

45) Balu koncham encouragement kaavali... Meeru chuste tempt ayipoddi, maatladithe melt ayipoddi, muttukunte connect ayipoddi, inka ikkade vunte late ayipoddi.

46) Board meeting lo pakkana koorchopettukundhaam anukunnaa... Bodi gundu kottesav kadhey!

47) Vaadikem kaavaali? Aa kurchi kaavaalata... Ohh! Aithey 60 euros petti konukkomanandi.

48) Nee table meedha apple thintey neeku balam vasthundhiraa... Adhey nee pakkanodi table meeda apple thintey idhigo ilaagey balavanthamgaa theeskuraavalsi vasthundhi.

49) Nenemainaa Benhur cinemani burrakadha laagaa chepthunnanatraa, okkadiney vaaguthunnaanu? Yesunatha.. Appu ivvadam dheniki... Hurt avvadam dheniki.

50) 'XL' size vaadiki 'Small' size shirt vesthey elaa untadho thelusaa raa.

51) Akka MBA ni chesukuntundi... Daani pillalu Oakridge lo chaduvutaaru. Nenu driver ni chesukuntunna... Naa pillalu Municipality school lo chaduvutaaru.

52) Neeku Urdu vacchaa... Aadi kottudu chusthe Urdu emiti Chinese, Chitralekhanam kuda vacchundaali.

53) Sir... 1970s lo drivers ilaa vundevaaru, aa taruvaatha topilu pettukovadam modhalu pettaru. Ippudu valla ownerlaki topilu pedutunnaru.

54) Yesunathaa! Balavanthamga laakkunnappudu, endhuku laakkunnaavu ani okkallu koodaa adagaledhu... Alaantidhi manchi gaa maari thirigi ichesetappudu endhukandee inni questions vesthaaru??!

55) Zip pettadam pedda thappanipinchaledhandi... aa vishayam mimmalni andharni inthagaa baadha pedthundhani naaku theliyadhandi.. ventaney correct chesesthsanandi.. Elaa??.. Ilaa!

56)  Ayya.. idhigo ticket.. idhigo physically handicapped certificate.. last time meeru kottinappudu naa rendu pallu oodipoyaayi.. devudichia dhaantlo edhi poyinaa physically handicapped kadhandi.

57)  Meeru expect chesinatlu ladies vasthe memu expect cheyyanatlu tirigi vasthunnaru... Em disappoint ayyinatlunnaru.

58) Ee briefcase theeskellisthey neekemosthundhi? Emundhi prathee nela laagey jeethamosthundhi. Adhey maskisthey 70 lakhs car vasthundhi. Emti aalochisthunnav? Maatlaadthunnaru kaanee keys ivvstledhentaa ani.

59) Ayinaa... Driver ga chesthey aththayya.. cleanerga chesthey mamayya.. endhukosthaaru sir.... raaruu...

60) Meerevaru... Aa pakka bed meeda patient ni.. Sorry sir... Meekinka pillalu puttaru... Naaka vishayam telusu.

61) Rey seenuga.. nenu kathilanti vaadini.. kooralu tharagadaaniki panikosthaanu.. peekalu narakadaaniki panikosthaanu. Sir, ee sitiationki dialogue ki match avvsledhanukuntaa! Rey baalugaa, nee mohaaniki aa pilli geddam suitaindhaaraa? Ayinaa memu choodatley.. idhikoodaa, mooskuni vinu!

Compiled by: 

Aditya Yellajosyula

Fayaz Md

Pradeep Kumar

Raja Satish

Suresh Sistla

Surya Vinay Kumar

Movie Review - Attarintiki Daredi (Telugu) - Right dose of sugar and spice!!

There are movies which dazzle you with their visual brilliance and there are movies which disturb you or make you cry. Some make you think and some make you wish you never bought that ticket. Some movies shake you and some numb you. Attarintiki Daredi borders on most of the above and makes you happy and walk out with a smile. The movie became the most sought after one owing to the crackling combination of ‘Power Star’ Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram. The director proves his hallmark style of film-making by embedding a simple story in multiple layers of entertainment. His creative treatment for a stereotypical story-line gives the movie a master-stroke that surfaces its comic and emotional core.

Trivikam and his Hollywood hangover are packed so tightly that he can’t live with it. The way Pawan cooks a story from the objects lying around reminds you of the film The Usual Suspects. And, hold your breath, the Gyaana 'Abaddam chepithe chasthaavu' Vruksham episode from Eddie Murphy starrer A Thousand Words is by far the greatest rip-off of all time. But that doesn't stop you from singing encomiums for Trivikram. Within the first few minutes of the film, you can tell this product exudes class. The dialogues, the locations, the scene compositions, the pace, the pauses and the precision of editing – everything builds the stage for the coming events in the film.

The premise may be old as mountains. The second half drags a little and slips into some loopholes. And when the hero's conflict is internal and his job is to get his aunt back to his family, then why the introduction song Aaradugula Bullet... Bhairavudo Bhargavudo... gives a saving-the-society flavor to his character. Though the movie is replete with many such intriguing questions, Trivikram's execution makes them passable and brings the house down. The way he effortlessly plays with his ‘patented’ rewind-and-forward-button and intermittent black & white visuals makes it inventive amid few clichés. Deva devam track has been plugged in at right time and its rendition in the climax adds a traditional tinge to the end-credits. And the way he cuts the sepia-toned flashback and uses it to full effect in three scenarios leading to a 'paradigm shift' is quite interesting.

Pawan Kalyan owns the film. He pulls off a tailor-made role with multiple shades of an arrogant businessman, a subdued worker, an effeminate dancer, a humorous baba, an emotional person, and tops it with his towering machismo. He also does few Rajnikanth-ish stunts in a well choreographed, stylish fight to grab his glasses. Samantha plays a free-spirited gal full of life. At the start, her character is underplayed but she gets into the groove post interval. Her appearance as a saree clad gal in Ninnu Chudagaane is to die for. Pranitha makes you wonder where she has been all this time. The song Bapu gari Bomma stands as an avowal for her beauty.

The comedy buttons on the movie’s list are ably checked by Brahmanandam, Ali, M S Narayana, Posani and the hero himself. Brahmi’s Radiator and Bascars make you fall from your chair and also the four act play – Ahalya Amayakuraalu. The characters of Rao Ramesh, Nadhiya and Kota Srinivasa Rao need some fine tuning as at times they become hollow.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music is seductive. His background score falls on two extreme sides of the spectrum. At times his usage of strings seem to be inspired from that of 'Maestro' Ilayaraja and some times he takes the 'Western' route by re-creating Ennio Morricone. DSP also does a cameo in the film.

Prasad Murella’s cinematography knows no bounds and the introduction scene of Pawan with aerial shots, montages and vignettes, proves his mettle. The effective use of soft lighting, the way he bathes the frames with sunlight and addition of multiple hues is laudable. But the overdone CG work in couple of songs makes them look artificial.

Albeit the movie clocks a runtime of 3 hours, Prawin Pudi’s slick editing never lets boredom to seep into the narrative. 

Attarintiki Daredi brings something to Telugu cinema that comes rarely with so much effect. Trivikram's magical wand wards off some dull moments in the film. He shines both as a writer and director, and on a candid note, this time the director in him outsmarts the writer. After an endearing climax, during the end-credits, the family is seen tasting the soup, but this scene (again with Deva devam track in the background) is like a tasty little dessert after a hearty meal. Do yourself a favor by watching this film.

My Rating: Expectation – 8/10; Reality – 7/10

Sahasam - Plot holes galore!!

A great piece by Jayasimha that unleashes the plot holes and bloopers in the movie Sahasam.

Disclaimer:

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This is not a review . With due respect to the unique director Chandrashekhar Yeleti, I don’t intend to question his directorial skills, this is a brief analysis of the plot holes in the movie - Saahasam. This content is meant for movie critics and reviewers. For an ordinary movie goer, the following content may look inappropriate. Please read the following after watching the movie :)

                                                                                                         - njayasimha@gmail.com

I am an ardent fan of treasure hunt theme and this excitement made me watch the trailer of Sahasam a repeated number of times to know “what could be the story of this movie?”. As a result I wrote the following article (published in one of my friends blog) about my guess on the story of the movie Sahasam:

http://insidethecelluloid.blogspot.in/2013/05/sahasam-story-let-guessing-game-begin.html?showComment=1368172894774#c4062519862169336643

I am glad that more than 90% of my prediction has come true but what has disappointed me in the movie is its drag in the narration and a numerous plot holes. These are some unanswered questions. Please feel free to reply if you got answers:

1. When the main character believes in “Naadi kaanidi naakoddu, Naadi annadi adogoddu”, why does he rely so much on luck (by buying lottery tickets)? You can claim that something is yours when you earn it by working hard. What comes by luck is not yours. When he was so excited dreaming of 10 lakhs as reward, then he can negotiate for huge money when the terrorist asks for the locket. The contrasting point here is, if he believes in that dialogue then he cannot aspire for lottery money. This dialogue is justified at the end though, because he takes many pains to earn his ancestor’s diamonds.

2. Gopichand’s father doesn’t know what his father was doing? He even quotes that his father had an old cycle. I agree that if he doesn’t know about diamonds but at least the profession of his father should have been known.

3. How the heck the old bag containing the diary and the papers related to Suman’s property was hidden in the old house in Hyderabad? Suman hadn’t visited this house. Even if you take it as granted that Suman came to the house and hidden it in the rooftop, why the hell, he doesn’t inform his son/any other relative directly that he has property in pakistan and his son is sole owner after him? From the diary, his intention was to make sure his property reaches his son then why to hide it in the roof?

4. Suman gives the locket but not the diary having info about treasure. C'mon!!

5. The artificiality factors -

a. Taapsee organizing a camp to invite people to visit temple in Pakistan.

b. Calling friends by seeing Yellow Pages (in the times of FB, Twitter, WhatsApp etc). 

On top of that, she says "Neeku devudante ishtam kada anduke adugutunna" - Hilarious :D

c. Parents giving permission to a girl to go to Pakistan with a stranger to visit temple.

d. Only one person accepts to visit (though his intention was different). Director should have sent at least 3-4 people and by seeing the danger with terrorists, those people should have returned and Gopichand should have carried it forward.

e. Ali’s character was introduced as a head of a security agency, but his behavior was like a regular resident.

f. The Hinglaj Devi temple was shown deserted without any devotees or pujaris though it was told that it was a famous temple.

6. Suman narrates that he saw the secret entrance only once but the traps to treasure were laid during the Kanisha dynasty time. So, how does Suman solve the traps to enter the door present in the well? Suman crosses the bridge, cracks the ‘sound room’ mystery to enter the place - a pillar with swans - that leads to the repository of Kanishka's treasure. He does all this without an iota of knowledge about the hidden dangers and comes out effortlessly.

7. This plot point has a missing logic. To open the box having the map, you need the Garuda locket which acts as its key. It is shown that while searching for the box (having map), one Britisher, David, died inside the cave (with locket on him). But how did he enter the cave? He can enter only if he sees the map and does the 5 stage alignment of the round rock present inside Hinglaj Devi temple. This is a major blooper in the film.

8. Any treasure hunt movie should get into the business as soon as it creates a quick premise but here there is no intense moments till the last 30 minutes of the movie. At some time after the interval, it feels like its not a hunt for treasure but villains hunt for Gopichand to get the locket..!

9. When Ali narrates the rules of Buzkashi sport, Gopichand was lying unconscious. He doesn't know the rules of the game that the game is won if the dead lamb is kept in the circle. When he wakes up, he rides the horse (quick learner!) and then, in an utmost heroic way, he puts Taapsee in the circle and says its your rules. He is not only quick learner but also good listener in unconscious state of mind..!

10. I didn't understand why did the director/story writers create the shortcut pipeline (that gets opened when appropriate weight was kept on swans) to the main treasure room? The main entrance to the treasure is just one room behind..! They show lot of machinery cranking when swans move. If the answer is to send all the things then how did a big golden statue went through that shortcut pipeline? If the answer is to send only small jewellery then why to maintain so much machinery when the main entrance is just behind it. OK..got it..Kanishka might be lazy enough to open the main locker every time to keep small jewellery? :)

On an ending note, I highly appreciate Chandrasekhar Yeleti for attempting this genre and the last 30 minutes in the movie proves his real talent. The writers of this movie deserve a special mention for sketching the traps and the way to solve them.This appreciation is again for last 30 minutes only...:)

Movie Review - Iddarammayilatho (Telugu) - romantic-action-musical-thriller!!

Verdict - Watch it for chic visuals and sensitive performances that shower loads of entertainment.

Pack your bags. Start on a trek. Reach the top of a cliff. Feel on top of the world. Get your dose of cliffhanging moments. Take a break. And after that when you crave for more, you are dumped into an abyss. You survive and struggle to find a way and reach to the top again. Then it's 'alls well that ends well.' Wait, there's more to it. There is some fuel that may trigger the next series of happenings, may be in a sequel. In a nutshell, this is the movie-watching experience of Iddarammayilatho.  

In his latest offering, director Puri Jagannadh picked a different fork. He took a different route of entertainment for most part of the film. His hero stays the same - like a sphinx, filled with conviction. The comical moments with Brahmanandam are piled on and at times unsolicited. Allu Arjun looked stylish than ever. The heroines looked beautiful than their usual self. Thanks to the magical wand of Puri. Amala Paul is soothing as a traditional Telugu girl and Catherine Tresa is sizzling in her character. Both are near perfect in their roles.

The movie starts with a strong premise and fixes the plot element. Then it takes you to a different terrain. Cut to multiple flashbacks, and riding the crest wave of entertainment, it peels multiple layers to reach the interval. The pre-interval fight sequence is to die for. The way Allu Arjun juggled multiple emotions and the tear drop rolling down his cheek followed by a blood gushing brawl are the crux of the film. Let's make way for the 'stylish star.' He's walked an extra mile showing his acting prowess. The way the lead characters are carved is another reason to cherish. This in turn brought out good performances from them. Post interval, the movie slackens for some time. Forced comedy adds to the injury and you taste boredom. It again picks up momentum and culminates in an enthralling finale. 

It seems Puri Jagannadh has cherry-picked his crew members, so that resulted in a hatke treatment of the film. Amol Rathod's cinematography makes it a visual treat. The film can be called a perfect advertisement for the tourism department of Spain. Apart form the technical aspects of canning the scenes; the frame composition is classy and creative. This coupled with slick editing of S R Shekhar is more welcoming. Brahma Kadali enhanced the visual appeal with some nice set pieces. The stunt coordinator Kecha Khamphakdee fired all cylinders making the action sequences the most sought after ones in the film.   

Among the new breed of composers Devi Sri Prasad is considered an epitome of melodious consonance and this makes him a talent nonpareil. The intoxicating Violin Song has already made its way to become this year’s most enslaving song. Devi strikes gold again with his core competence of churning mass numbers – Top Lechipoddhi – which makes it difficult to ground your feet while watching it on screen. The BGMs are apt and, in recent times, for this genre of films they are one of the finest ones. The seductive violin and the addictive guitar stays with you for sometime, but some songs fail to impress. Had Devi pushed the envelope, this film would have been registered as a 'musical'. There was plenty of scope for music but he couldn't capitalize on this one. 

In terms of entertainment, this movie is satiating. It pinches for a while that most of the story is predictable but the twists and thrills make it a perfect watch. It has a few unflinching moments and few unpretentious ones, which balances out the film. Albeit the movie hovers in the middle road of average and above-average, it deserves nothing short of a thundering applause. Puri Jagannadh brings on surface his fervent and enduring side. 

Bottom-line: Iddarammayilatho will undoubtedly be this year’s most memorable ‘romantic-action-musical-thriller.’ 

My Rating: Expectation – 7/10; Reality – 6/10 

Maestro Ilaiyaraaja – 37 years of Musical Magic or Magical Music!!

An encomium on Maestro Ilaiyaraja – by Sowmya Suresh

The Invincible Musician who made his debut in Annakili this day 37 years ago has made all our lives so beautiful, meaningful, enjoyable, blissful with his astonishing, divine, unparalleled creativity. Let me start this humble tribute to the MAESTRO with a beautiful slokam sung by the Master himself from the title song of the Malayalam movie Aalolam.

http://www.4shared.com/audio/IMReRz-v/4OmMidhyeThadaksharamidam.html 

(Sung by the Maestro and Sri Jayachandran)

At the fear of sounding immodest, I would say this Genius revolutionized Tamizh film music. Hailing from a tiny hamlet of Pannaippuram, Maestro used his magical wand to create many leitmotifs. He stretched the horizon of background score in cinema. It was then people started identifying background score and learnt that music is not all about just composing songs. A fancy term called BGM was coined in that era. Needless to say, audience thronged cinema halls just to hear these BGMs that added soul to the film’s body.

Master of all he surveys, he ventured into Indian classical, WCM, Pop, Jazz, Folk etc with ground breaking results. A composer who could mesmerize everyone with his lilting tunes, his strings tug at the heart strings and a whole generation still swear by HIS compositions. A Composer nonpareil, the Wizard has managed to extract the best out of his singers and musicians while unearthing some outstanding gems.

Superlatives become mandatory to describe, analyze and appreciate the music and background score by Maestro. The BGMs are seemingly different and add scores of embellishments to the film.The music creates the tone that’s essentially required for the movie and in turn gives an exponential rise to its aesthetics. The classical touch of Raja sir exudes in every piece and every scene. HIS music in films elevates the mood consistently. The songs give the required flow for the film to qualify as a “Musical.” The BGMs speak volumes about the emotions involved. When he uses some of the music pieces that are instrumental versions of the song tunes, he ensures to use them in varied proportions aiding the situation in the film.

Over a span of 920 movies, many devotional albums, around 4500 songs with countless BGM score, Preludes & Interludes that have left the listeners in awe. The flute, an ocean of Strings section including Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Bass, Guitars & Bass guitar, Veena, Piano, Brass section and all the percussion instruments have just dazed us in every single song of HIS! The instruments have bowed down to the Master's command, HIS music notations and the end result is sheer ecstasy. I bow down in reverence to the musicians who have played / have been playing and the singers who have sung/ have been singing for this Genius till date! _/\_

On this wonderful day, I wanted to list out my most favorite 37 songs ! It does sound absurd to shortlist my favorites from the Ocean of HIS compositions.. Nevertheless, I am listing out some songs below that flashed in my mind while I was typing this tribute.

Malayalam: 

1. Paadoo Sakhi Paadoo - Chaitram (A gem that went unnoticed since it was a part of an unreleased movie!) There are many precious gems like this from Maestro that went into oblivion either because the movie was a damp squib or the song didn't make it to the movie's final cut or simply because all the other songs in the movie ended up mighty popular.

  

2. Alli Ilam poovao – Mangalam Nerunnu

3. Shivakaru damaruka – Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal

4. Ponveyilile - Oru yaathramozhi

5. Poo Kunguma poo - Raasathanthram

6. Thaaraapadham – Anaswaram

7. Kaiyettha – Vinodha yaatra

8. Kunnatthae Konnakyum – Pazhasiraaja

9. Aruna Kirana Deepam – Guru

10. Hridhu Baedha Kalpana – Mangalam nerunnu

Telugu:

1. Madhana Lathika Haare - Aalapana (Friends, Please listen to this astonishing marvel. Unfortunately, this gem didn't appear in the movie!)

2. Priya Priyaththamaa Raagalu - Killer

3. Kaliki Maenilao - Sankeerthana

4. Yenaadu Vidipaoni - Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe

Kannada:

1. Anuraga Yaenaythu - Nee Nanna Gellalare

Tamizh:

1. Sreedevi en vaazhvil - Ilamaikkaolam

2. Vaanin devi varuga – Oruvar vaazhum aalayam

3. Rojappoo – Agni Nakshatram

4. Raajathi Raaja un thandhirangal – Mannan

5. Vaanam Engae - Nenjilaadum Poo Ondru (Watch out for the chorus portion in this song)

6. Kalyana Maalai – Pudhu Pudhu Arththangal

7. Anjali Anjali Anjali – Anjali

8. Oorellaam un Paattu thaan – Oorellam un paatu

9. Naan enbadhu nee allavao – Soorasamhaaram

10. Vaanavillae – Ramana

11. Puththam Pudhu Poo Pootthadhao - Dhalapathi

12. Kalaivaaniyao Raniyao – Villuppaattukkaaran

13. Alli Sundaravalli – Kanngalin vaarthaigal (A very stylish composition)

14. Meendum Meendum – Vikram

15. Devanin Kovil – Aruvadai naal (A tear jerker)

16. All the time I think of you - Naadodi thendral (the orchestration & the string arrangements in this song never ceases to amaze me )

17. Isaiyil thodangudhamma – Hey Ram

18. Vecchaalum Veikkaamappoanaalum – Michael Madhana Kaamarajan

19. Ennullae Ennullae - Valli

20. Pooyaeru Kaonum - Thiruvaasagam

Hindi:

1. Aa Gaya Kaoi Sapna - Kamagni

2. Dilwaale Raath hai Jahan - Mahadev

Sir, Thanks so much for giving us enchanting music that emanates an air of serenity. We are beholden to you and your music remains immortal. Your presence made this place a land blessed by heavens! Let's all celebrate this genius and HIS music forever.

In the first charanam of the song Manikkutti Kurumbullaor (Movie: Kaliyoonjal, Malayalam. Music: Maestro), there is a line, "Nee Endae Aathmaavin Aanandha Madhuram" ... How true!! Avaradhu Isai Namadhu Aathmaavin Aanandha Madhuram allavaa! :)

My humble Pranams to our beloved MAESTRO "Isaignani" ILAIYARAJA _/\_  _/\_